What's happening in and around the Holt, Florida, community.

Fort Walton Beach man arrested when attempting to meet a minor for sex

DEFUNIAK SPRINGS, Fla. March 29, 2018—A man who engaged a 15-year-old girl for nude photos through a popular smartphone app is now behind bars for traveling to meet a minor for sex.

Matthew James Reynolds

Matthew James Reynolds, 27, of Fort Walton Beach, was arrested March 28.

Following a tip from a parent March 16, Walton County Sheriff’s Office deputies learned that a 15-year-old Walton County resident had been sending nude photos to a 27-year-old man out of Fort Walton Beach in exchange for Amazon gift cards.

The victim told investigators she let the suspect know she was 15 years old prior to sending the photos.

Consent was given by the victim’s parents for investigators to assume her identity online.

Investigators reestablished contact with the suspect via the KiK Messenger application and exchanged messages on the app and through text from March 20-27.

In one instance the suspect was told numerous times the victim was 15 years old.

During the course of the conversation, the suspect made several references to meeting the victim. He then made several statements sexual in nature that indicated he wanted to engage in sexual activity with the victim.

Reynolds traveled to Mossy Head March 28 to meet who he believed to be the victim but was met by members of the WCSO Special Victim’s Unit instead.

“The parent’s diligence in this case help put this person behind bars,” said Sheriff Michael Adkinson. “It is imperative that parents have an understanding of what apps their kids are using and ask questions when they notice suspicious behavior.”

Reynolds’ felony charges include traveling to meet a minor for sex, using a computer to solicit a child and using a two-way communication device in the commission of a felony. His bond is set at $50,000.